Beach guide
East Beach, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA
Overview
East Beach is Santa Barbara's main tourist beach, running east from Stearns Wharf along Cabrillo Boulevard to the city limits just past the Clark Estate. It's the eastern end of the city's four-mile chain of beach parks, with grassy East Beach Park, a playground and picnic sites behind the sand and several big hotels facing it across the boulevard.
Volleyball central
East Beach is the city's volleyball beach. More than a dozen sand courts line the beach, and it hosts several volleyball tournaments each year.
Who comes here
Families, swimmers, sunbathers, volleyball players and walkers. It isn't known as a surf spot. The Cabrillo Pavilion has paid-access locker rooms and showers, and it lends two free beach wheelchairs (one manual, one motorized), which you reserve online. The California Coastal Trail runs past on paved multi-use paths.
Good to know
Dogs are not allowed on East Beach, though leashed dogs may use the grass and paths in East Beach Park. City lifeguards staff towers along East Beach in summer, and the Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguards program is based here.
Getting there & access
Parking
City Waterfront lots along Cabrillo Boulevard, including Cabrillo East, Cabrillo West and Palm Park, are self-pay from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round at $3.50 an hour, up to $20 a day. East Beach Park also has angled street parking.
Beach wheelchairs
Cabrillo Pavilion, 1118 East Cabrillo Blvd, lends two beach wheelchairs (one manual, one motorized) free, seven days a week during regular hours. Reserve online; a liability waiver and ID are required. Staff: (805) 897-2616.
Walking and biking
Paved Coastal Trail paths run the length of the beach along Cabrillo Boulevard and continue west past Stearns Wharf toward the harbor and Leadbetter Beach.
Changing and showers
Cabrillo Pavilion locker rooms with showers are open 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekends; a day pass is required (lower rates for city residents).
Amenities
- Volleyball courts — More than a dozen sand courts
- Playground — In East Beach Park
- Picnic sites — East Beach Picnic Areas #1 and #2, reservable
- Lifeguard towers — City towers staffed in summer
- Locker rooms and showers — Cabrillo Pavilion, day pass required
- Beach wheelchairs — Free loans at Cabrillo Pavilion
- Restaurant — At East Beach Park
- Coastal Trail — Paved multi-use path along the beach
Rules & official resources
- Dogs are not allowed on the beach at East Beach (leashed dogs are allowed on East Beach Park's grass and paths)
- Alcoholic beverages and weapons are prohibited at City Parks and Recreation facilities and grounds
- No smoking of any substance, including e-cigarettes and vapes, on Parks and Recreation property
- Waterfront lots are self-pay 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily; parking without paying draws a $30 citation ($50 for oversized vehicles)
- Beach wheelchair loans at Cabrillo Pavilion require an online reservation, a signed liability waiver and ID
Common boat service needs here
Harbor services next door
East Beach has no launch, but Santa Barbara Harbor is just west of Stearns Wharf. Boaters who keep a slip there use the harbor's dock and storage services.
Find Marinas, Storage & Dock Services providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.